Field study on epidemiology of clinical mastitis in five Italian dairy herds

Clinical mastitis is one of the major sources of economical losses for farmers and also represents a risk for consumers. To control this disease, the application of Hazard Analysis and Critica Control Point (HACCP) procedures at farm level could be helpful, but very difficult. However, some of the HACCP principles could be implemented, after that an epidemiological analysis to identify risk factors and the related critical control points (CCP) has been undertaken. The study involved 5 Italian dairy herds: some information about housing management, udder hygiene, milking machine characteristic and milking procedures were collected. All clinical cases (697 cases) were analysed microbiologically and information on cows affected, milk alterations and quarter clinical appearance were collected. Microbiological data, individual data and herd data were compared and analysed by logistic regression to identify risk factors and the related critical points. The analysis showed that some risk factors, such as the month of the year, days in milk (DIM) and parity number, had a different impact on clinical mastitis outcome and the magnitude of the effects differs among herds. Therefore, specific control measures should be implemented in each herd for each group of cows.